Excitement as MTG Hawke's Bay's digital learning programme nears

Laura Vodanovich

We're excited about the new digital learning programme we'll be offering at MTG Hawke's Bay in the coming months.

We were delighted to be invited to partner with Te Papa, Auckland Museum and the Waitangi National Trust to roll out a Digital Equity for All learning programme.

Called Raranga Matihiko – Weaving Digital Futures, this programme aims at increasing access to digital technology among students in lower decile schools.

Digital fluency is a critical factor for truly participating in contemporary society and it's great to see initiatives such as this that will ensure more students have access to these opportunities.

Partnering with Te Papa means we have access to a proven programme they have already developed and tested.

The programme will be adapted to the needs and desired learning outcomes of schools in our region, utilising our unique collections and exhibitions.

Along with this partnership comes a range of digital equipment and ongoing support and guidance from Te Papa's expert team of museum educators.

One of the most exciting parts of this programme is that it will support and foster engagement with schools and kura kaupapa in the region that we don't currently work with.

Providing access to the region's collection and education programmes is a key driver for us and we're pleased to have a new programme that will extend our reach.

This programme will also enhance our relationship with our national museum and may lead to further interactions, exchanges and partnership opportunities in the future.

For our educators this new programme adds to the range of learning experiences we already provide, especially in the digital space.

One of the recent programmes we've added which has proved popular with schools is the Quake 31 lesson.

Students take on the role of reporter, researching the earthquake through the exhibition, archives and other material. They then develop a news broadcast which is filmed in front of a green screen – later adding video content in the background.

This provides an opportunity for students to learn about the Hawke's Bay earthquake as well as digital and film technology.

Another programme that is exceptionally popular is our annual Matariki lessons - this year focusing on poi work.

Starting in our exhibitions, students see kapa haka, traditional poi made from raupo and flax, and historic footage of some stunning poi performances.

We've partnered with Kahurangi Māori Dance Theatre to teach students waiata and kanikani (dance moves). Students then develop their own poi dance, supported by performers from the Kahurangai Māori Dance Theatre.

You can get a taste of this talented dance group in the welcome video, which runs on continuous loop in our Tēnei Tonu gallery.

Matariki is an important period in the calendar for Māori, heralding the start of a new year.

Traditionally this was a time for remembering tipuna and celebrating new life. Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as Pleiades.

There are many ways to celebrate the Māori New Year around the region, but why not kick-start the festivities with a visit to MTG Hawke's Bay?

• Laura Vodanovich is the director of the Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) Hawke's Bay.